Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Job Description

Note: Ottawa County Community Mental Health is currently transitioning to an independent authority. As of January 1, 2027, this position will be part of the Ottawa County Community Mental Health Authority.

Under the general supervision of the Mental Health Program Director and in close clinical collaboration with the Medical Director and/or Staff Psychiatrist, this position provides the full spectrum of psychiatric services to adult clients. The role delivers comprehensive, client-centered care for individuals with mental illness, including those with co-occurring substance use disorders, physical health conditions, or intellectual/developmental disabilities.

Key responsibilities include conducting psychiatric evaluations, biopsychosocial assessments, diagnostic formulation, and ongoing treatment planning. The position also provides medication management and integrative clinical oversight for adults receiving mental health services.

This is a full-time, benefited position based at the Community Mental Health building at 1111 Fulton Street, Grand Haven, MI 49417. Typical working hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Essential Job Functions

1. Provides assessment and comprehensive management of common and complex psychiatric conditions and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
2. Develops a treatment plan for mental health problems and psychiatric disorders based on biopsychosocial theories, evidence-based standards of care, and practice guidelines.
3. Prescribes and manages psychotropic medication regimens.
4. Performs diagnostic assessments and provides recommendations for clients beginning psychiatric medication regimens.
5. Assesses the impact of client medical conditions on psychiatric status and vice versa and individualizes medical management to the lifestyle risks of clients presenting with mental illness and co-occurring mental illness and developmental disabilities.
6. Differentiates psychiatric presentations of medical conditions from psychiatric disorders and arranges appropriate evaluation and follow-up. Collects data from multiple sources using assessment techniques that are appropriate to the client's language, culture, and developmental stage, including, but not limited to, screening evaluations, psychiatric rating scales, and other standardized instruments.
7. Educates clients regarding prescribed medications, their illnesses and the interaction of medications within their body as one integrated system.
8. Records and maintains treatment data, case documentation and case-notes while preserving the security and integrity of private health information in compliance with the provisions of HIPAA, County and CMH policies, and Recipients' Rights rules and regulations.
9. Coordinates closely with primary care physicians and other community prescribers to ensure seamless care to clients.
10. Provides clinical consultation to Ottawa County Community Mental Health staff.
11. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Education, Training and Experience

Master's Degree in Nursing (M.S.N.) from an accredited college or university in psychiatric nursing and five (5) years of progressively responsible and demonstrably successful experience in advanced psychiatric nursing practice, including at least two (2) years in the pharmacological management of psychiatric disorders. Must comply with all continuing education requirements for continued certification and licensure.

Licenses and Certifications:

1. Certified Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Specialist and/or Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner by the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC).
2. State of Michigan Licensed Registered Nurse with Nurse Practitioner specialty certification.
3. Federal controlled substance registration with DEA number.
4. Valid Michigan drivers' license

NOTE: Ability to communicate in Spanish, Lao, Cambodian or other language spoken by one or more ethnic groups residing in the county preferred.

Additional Requirements and Information

Required Knowledge and Skills:

1. Thorough working knowledge of professional nursing principles, procedures, and techniques used in the care and treatment of psychiatric clients.
2. Thorough working knowledge of medical and psychiatric assessment protocols, principles and practices.
3. Thorough working knowledge of diagnostic principles, practices and protocols.
4. Thorough working knowledge of mental health evidence-based practices and recovery principles.
5. Ability to interpret and integrate assessment and diagnostic data.
6. Thorough working knowledge of medications, including psychotropic drugs, and effects on psychiatric clients.
7. Thorough working knowledge of control, preparation and administration of medications.
8. Thorough working knowledge of symptoms and behavior patterns of emotionally disturbed and mentally ill clients.
9. Computer literacy and working knowledge of word-processing and electronic medical records.
10. Thorough working knowledge of case documentation standards and requirements.
11. Good interpersonal and verbal and written communications skills.
12. Good organizational skills and ability to prioritize the workload.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations, including, but not limited to, visual and/or audiological appliances, and devices to increase mobility. Working Conditions: Work is generally performed in a normal office environment. Delivery of care to clients may entail exposure to a variety of disease vectors and potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Disclaimer: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Ottawa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.